Safety is too often reduced to visible crime rates. Yet evaluating the security of a host country means crossing several dimensions: crime statistics, political stability, natural disaster risk, and quality of healthcare. This guide gives you a structured, honest reading of the safest destinations in 2026, with their real strengths and limitations.

How to measure a country’s safety

Before getting into the ranking, it is worth understanding the tools used to objectively evaluate the security of a destination.

The Global Peace Index (GPI)

The Global Peace Index, published annually by Vision of Humanity, is the most comprehensive reference for comparing countries. It measures 23 indicators across three categories: internal safety (crime, conflict), external security (war risk, regional tensions), and level of militarisation. The lower the score, the more peaceful the country. In 2025, Iceland holds first place for the 17th consecutive year.

Perceived and actual crime rates

The GPI does not capture everything. Perception surveys, compiled notably in the databases of Numbeo, offer a complementary view: how residents and expats actually feel about day-to-day safety. A country can post a strong GPI score yet have risky urban pockets — or conversely, a moderate crime rate paired with a very reassuring sense of security on the ground.

Political and institutional stability

A politically stable country is one where institutions function, elections happen without violence, and the rule of law is respected. For expats, this translates concretely into: predictable visas and residence permits, genuine legal protection, and a low risk of sudden asset nationalisation or monetary instability.

Healthcare security

Safety goes well beyond crime. Access to quality emergency care, the presence of international hospitals, and exposure to epidemics, extreme heat, cyclones, or seismic zones are all part of the equation. For an expat with children or specific medical needs, these criteria can matter as much as the crime rate.

To dig deeper into choosing your destination, see our complete guide to choosing your country.

The 8 safest countries for expats in 2026

1. Portugal

GPI 2025 ranking: top 10 worldwide. Portugal consistently ranks among the world’s ten most peaceful countries. Crime is low, political tensions are rare, and the quality of life is high for a relatively affordable Western European destination.

Strengths: the language is learnable within a few months, a large and established expat community (particularly in Lisbon and Porto), a decent public healthcare system, and a cost of living lower than France despite rising rents in major cities.

Nuances: rapid gentrification is pushing up property prices in the main cities. Petty theft (pickpockets) exists in heavily touristed areas. Outside major urban centres, access to specialist care can be limited.

More on moving to Portugal.

2. Singapore

GPI 2025 ranking: top 15 worldwide. Singapore is arguably the safest destination in Asia, and among the safest in the world. Crime rates are extremely low, infrastructure is impeccable, and the healthcare system is world-class.

Strengths: near-absolute physical safety, a very solid rule of law, an efficient and transparent judicial system, access to internationally recognised care, and excellent global connectivity.

Nuances: cost of living is among Asia’s highest (housing especially), a strict regulatory framework that can unsettle very individualistic profiles, and year-round heat and humidity. Long-stay visas require a skilled job or significant investment capacity.

More on moving to Singapore.

3. Canada

GPI 2025 ranking: top 15 worldwide. Canada combines low violent crime, solid democratic institutions, and a well-established culture of welcome. On a health security level, natural risks are limited to specific regions: wildfires in British Columbia in summer, extreme cold in Quebec and the Prairies in winter.

Strengths: universal public healthcare system, cultural diversity that eases integration, institutional stability, high quality of life in major cities (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal).

Nuances: the Canadian cold is a genuine health risk in winter. Housing costs in Toronto and Vancouver have surged over the past several years. The healthcare system, while universal, is under pressure with sometimes very long waiting times.

More on moving to Canada.

4. Uruguay

GPI 2025 ranking: best in Latin America. Uruguay is consistently ranked the safest and most stable country in South America — a remarkable exception in a region that is often perceived as risky.

Strengths: stable and long-established democracy, very low corruption by regional standards, straightforward residency for French-speaking expats, pleasant quality of life in Montevideo, and reasonable cost relative to Western benchmarks.

Nuances: a small economy with fewer professional opportunities than larger neighbours. Montevideo concentrates most of the infrastructure; other cities are quite rural. Crime, while low for the region, has risen in certain districts of the capital in recent years.

More on moving to Uruguay.

5. Estonia

GPI 2025 ranking: top 30 in Europe. An EU and NATO member, Estonia is a mature digital democracy with low crime and robust institutions. It is also the most advanced country in the world when it comes to digital public administration.

Strengths: e-Residency for easy company registration, low bureaucracy, high day-to-day safety in Tallinn, and EU membership simplifying formalities for European nationals.

Nuances: bordering Russia, which creates a perceived geopolitical risk (though NATO membership is a strong shield). Winters are long and cold. The local job market is small outside the tech sector.

More on moving to Estonia.

6. Panama

GPI 2025 ranking: best in Central America. Panama stands clearly apart from its regional neighbours thanks to political stability, dollarisation (eliminating currency risk for expats earning in dollars or euros), and modern infrastructure.

Strengths: Panama City offers a service level comparable to a major American city, straightforward residency visa pathways (Pensionado Visa, Friendly Nations Visa), a solid banking system, and a central geographic position between the two Americas.

Nuances: marked social inequality. Certain neighbourhoods of Panama City have crime levels worth monitoring. The rainy season can be intense. Administrative corruption, while limited, remains present.

More on moving to Panama.

7. Croatia

GPI 2025 ranking: top 20 in Europe. An EU member since 2013 and part of the Schengen area since 2023, Croatia posts very low crime and an attractive quality of life, particularly along the Dalmatian coast.

Strengths: high physical safety, peaceful daily life, outstanding natural environment, Schengen and EU membership, and a cost of living still moderate compared to Western Europe.

Nuances: a developing economy with modest local salaries (relevant if you plan to find local employment). Seismic risk is real, particularly in the north (Zagreb was hit by an earthquake in 2020). Access to specialist healthcare can be limited outside Zagreb and Split.

More on moving to Croatia.

8. New Zealand (special mention)

Not covered in detail here, New Zealand regularly appears in the global GPI top 5. It deserves a mention for expats seeking a very safe destination in the Pacific. The main obstacles: distance and immigration conditions that are relatively restrictive for non-English speakers.

Summary table

Country GPI 2025 rank Perceived crime Political stability Main strength
Portugal Top 10 Very low Excellent Quality of life / EU affordability
Singapore Top 15 Near-zero Very high Absolute safety / healthcare
Canada Top 15 Low Excellent Welcoming / universal healthcare
Uruguay Top 5 Americas Low (regional) Very good South America's strongest democracy
Estonia Top 30 EU Low Good (EU/NATO) Digital administration
Panama Top Central Am. Moderate Fair Dollarisation / visa access
Croatia Top 20 EU Very low Good (EU/Schengen) Peaceful life / nature

Sources: Global Peace Index 2025, Vision of Humanity; crime indices Numbeo 2025.

Safety: what the rankings do not tell you

City vs rural areas

National indices often mask significant disparities between capitals and rural areas. In Panama City, some working-class neighbourhoods concentrate most of the country’s crime, while interior provinces are very quiet. In Canada, Vancouver and Toronto are infinitely safer on average than certain disadvantaged pockets within those same cities. Always check the specific neighbourhood you are considering, not just the country-level ranking.

Risks that are often underestimated

Crime is not the only risk to evaluate:

  • Natural hazards: seismic zones (Croatia, Panama), hurricane risk (Caribbean), wildfires (Canada, Portugal), flooding.
  • Healthcare quality: a country can be very safe from a crime standpoint yet offer limited access to emergency care. For expats with pre-existing medical conditions, this criterion is critical.
  • Geopolitical risks: Estonia is safe, but its proximity to Russia is a factor to weigh depending on your personal risk tolerance.

Safety does not mean zero risk

No country offers absolute safety. The goal is to reduce exposure to avoidable risks, not to eliminate all uncertainty. Good international health insurance, a home in a suitable neighbourhood, and solid knowledge of local risks often matter more than a country’s GPI ranking.

Before you go, read our article on classic expat mistakes to avoid and our comparison of home country vs abroad: real quality of life.

If your priority is a nomadic lifestyle, see our guide to the best countries for digital nomads. For families, our guide to the best countries for expat families covers the criteria specific to your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the safest country in the world for expats?

According to the Global Peace Index 2025, Iceland holds first place for the 17th consecutive year. Among realistic expat destinations, Portugal, Singapore, and Canada consistently rank in the top 15 worldwide and offer a safe living environment accessible to a broad range of profiles.

Can a country’s safety change quickly?

Yes. Regional conflicts, economic crises, or political shifts can rapidly affect a country’s safety index. The Global Peace Index is updated annually, and it is advisable to also consult the travel advisories from your home country’s foreign affairs ministry before moving, even to a well-regarded destination.

Does a safe country automatically cost more?

Not necessarily. Portugal, Uruguay, and Croatia combine high security levels with a cost of living moderate by French standards. Singapore, on the other hand, is very safe but also very expensive. Safety is one criterion among many and does not alone determine your living costs.

Is it better to move to an EU country for security reasons?

EU membership offers a stable legal framework, guaranteed rights for European citizens, and enhanced consular protection. For French nationals, Portugal, Estonia, and Croatia allow you to stay within that space while enjoying very safe environments. That said, several non-EU countries (Canada, Singapore, Uruguay) offer equivalent or superior security levels.

This ranking is based on data available as of Q3 2026. Security indices are updated annually; check the latest Global Peace Index publications and official travel advisories before making your decision.